UPHA Tom Moore Hall Of Fame - Gib Marcucci
Friday, January 18, 2008

(Editor’s Note: The following speech was read by Tabitha Ireland Galloway Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, at the UPHA/AHHS Convention in Roanoke, Va.)

Illinois native, Gib Marcucci, has been around Hackney ponies all his life. When a child, he and his father bought and sold problem ponies, often straightening them out and selling them profitably. They operated on a shoestring budget, showing at shows such as Illinois State Fair, where they would rent one stall, divide it in half, tie two ponies in front and hang all the tack and equipment on the back wall. He would follow everyone around and ask millions of questions. Today, if you ever walk down Gib’s aisle at a show, he will stop you and still ask millions of questions. In 1947, he even won an equitation class on his pony, Buster.

In 1955, he married Betty Nairn. Because of his crush on Doris Day, he tried to get Betty to dye her hair blonde, but thankfully, she refused. In 1960, after military service, which included two years in Germany, he and Betty returned to Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. Gib paid his tuition expenses by training ponies.

After graduating with a degree in business and mathematics, he taught school for a short time before deciding to become a full-time pony trainer. In 1960, Gib and Betty moved onto the property along Highway 64 in Monmouth, Iowa and Gib Marcucci Stables became a reality. This public stable has been in operation for 48 years.

Gib has actually trained a few horses during his career, notably Albelarm Supremacy, for Isabel Robson. But, he says he was just getting him ready for Tom Ferrebee so Tom could go on to win with him. But the Hackney has always been special to Gib Marcucci.

His knowledge and recognition have stretched across the United States to other countries, including Canada, Bermuda, Great Britain, Holland and Australia. He is a founding member of the UPHA, a past member of the Mid-West Hackney Association Board of Directors and a recognized USEF judge, having judged the World’s Championship Horse Show four times.

His world’s champion harness ponies include the great Revelation, Impress My Daddy, Dun Haven Desiree, King’s Squire, El Toro, Sambucco, Flamethrower, Second Souvenir, Pride’s Starmaster and Man On The Town, who later was just as successful in the cobtail division.

Gib has been equally successful in the road pony division. Those world’s champions include Hazard County, Holly Hocks, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Triumphant, Heartland Memory, Yeah Boy and My Party Manners.

And, in the pleasure pony division, Gib has had two great world’s champions, I’m a Big Leaguer and Early Edition.

Now, I have mentioned only Gib’s world’s champions. But there are other ponies of note he was successful with. King’s Gaiety, Holiday’s Debonaire, Last Edition, Top Hat, King’s Fanfare, Sweet Dreams, Northern Reflection, Cover Girl, Holiday’s Swinger, Expensive Hobby, Frisky Fire, Hot Ticket, American Flyer and Late Nite’s Grand Event. The latter pony was special because he was mine.

Hackney ponies have always been a family affair at Marcucci Stables. The late Glenn Bown, Gib’s first customer to buy some good ponies, gave ponies to Gib’s daughters, Cindy and Lorri, and they became accomplished drivers in their own right. I have continued the family tradition in the show ring with my parents, Cindy and Kevin Ireland, behind me. Lorri and Tim Terrell and their son, Andy, and daughter Kalli have always been enthusiastic supporters of all of us.

Gib is the first one to credit his family and his loyal customers with their valuable roles in his success. Most of his customers have been associated with Gib for years and turnover is rare. He has always encouraged his owners to show their own ponies, never really wanting any limelight for himself.

Respected by owners, exhibitors, breeders and fellow horsemen alike, Gib was honored in 2001 as the first recipient of the Bill Robinson Memorial Hackney Trainer of the Year Award. In 2003 he was also inducted into the American Road Horse and Pony Association Hall of Fame.

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